Leader (primicerius) of the Theban Legion,
massacred at Agaunum, about 287 (286, 297, 302, 303), by order of Maximian Herculius. Feast, 22
Sept. The legend (Acta SS., VI, Sept., 308, 895) relates that the legion, composed entirely of
Christians, had been called from Africa to suppress a revolt of the Bagandæ in Gaul. The soldiers
were ordered to sacrifice to the gods in thanksgiving but refused. Every tenth was then killed.
Another order to sacrifice and another refusal caused a second decimation and then a general
massacre. (On the value of the legend, etc., see Agaunum and Theban Legion.) St Maurice is
represented as a knight in full armour (sometimes as a Moor), bearing a standard and a palm; in
Italian paintings with a red cross on his breast, which is the badge of the Sardinian Order of St
Maurice. Many places in Switzerland, Piedmont, France, and Germany have chosen him as celestial
patron, as have also the dyers, clothmakers, soldiers, swordsmiths, and others. He is invoked
against gout, cramps, etc.

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Comments

St. Maurice, I just learned about you last year when I went to St. Maurice Church for daily Mass. I fell in love with you right away. Please pray for all of our men and women serving in the military that Jesus will protect them and they will love and serve Him as you did. Pray for all of us for this grace and for peace in our world and all who are suffering on account of wars.